Propping Your Head up
Raise your head so gravity can do the work of draining mucus out of your nasal passages. When watching TVs, reading a book or using any device, avoid lying down. You can keep your head propped up with the help of a pillow or pillows.
Salt Water Gargle
This technique would help loosen up mucus. Gargling salt water [2] would also help in soothing a sore throat. To make this mixture, in a cup of warm water, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt. Gargle for as long as you can, before spitting it out. Use this twice a day.
Nasal Rinse
A nasal rinse is also called a sinus rinse [3], nasal irrigation or a sinus flush. Excess or thickened mucus can be loosened by a nasal rinse. You can get a nasal rinse product at a drugstore or a pharmacy. Common options include squeeze bottles and Neti pots [4].
It is very advisable to never use tap water. This is because it may have very harmful bacteria and germs. Instead, the water should be sterile, distilled or boiled and then cooled.